Jeanne Louise Calment, who died at 122 years and 164 days of age, lived to be the oldest person on record. Though her parents and siblings also lived to an advanced age, she outlived them all. An active woman, Calment continued to ride a bicycle until she was 100 years old and lived independently until she was nearly 110. At 114, she became the world's oldest actress, appearing as herself in the family film Vincent and Me. Calment attributed her longevity to what food product?More...

In 1925, following the death of her governor husband, Ross was elected to serve out the remainder of his term, becoming the US's first female governor. She remained politically active after her gubernatorial term and was appointed director of the US Bureau of the Mint in 1933—becoming the first woman to hold that office as well. In her 20 years as director, she saw the Mint through the economic throes of the Great Depression and through WWII. What did Ross do before becoming governor?More...

A German statesman, von Bülow was appointed state secretary for the foreign department in 1897. He quickly became a potent force and succeeded to the chancellorship in 1900, serving until 1909. Together with Emperor William II, he pursued a policy of German aggrandizement in the years preceding WWI, inadvertently antagonizing the English, French, and Russians, who eventually formed an alliance against Germany. He lost the emperor's confidence in the Daily Telegraph affair, which was what?More...

The largest festival in Japan, Hakata Dontaku is held in Fukuoka City during Golden Week, the first week in May. The festival originated in the Muromachi Period (1333-1568) as a procession of the merchants of Hakata, an old section of Fukuoka City, paying their new year visit to the daimyo, or feudal lord. The festival highlight is a three-hour parade with legendary gods on horseback, floats, and musicians playing samisens (a three-stringed instrument similar to a guitar), flutes, and drums.More...

Seniors who insist they feel far younger than they look have been vindicated: scientists have found a genetic combination that makes people look older than their true age. Certain varieties of the so-called MC1R gene add as much as two years to the ...More...

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